Environmental and Land-based

Future Trends

Although employment in this sector has fallen since 1997 – in particular in agriculture where it has fallen 24%- predictions outline that there will be significant demands in the future as:

The workforce is ageing and as they retire new entrants will be needed.

There will always be a need to manage the countryside and produce crops for food and energy.

The agricultural industry has changed significantly and become more competitive and viable with a need for a more highly skilled workforce.

With growing environmental awareness more consumers are looking for food sourced in the UK.

The Institute of Employment Research Working Futures projections suggest that the sector will need to attract 110,000 new entrants over the next ten years. This is likely to be an underestimate, as these projections exclude a number of Lantra’s industries.

The number employed in high-skilled occupations has risen from 16% in 1997 to 20% in 2007. This is forecast to rise to 23% by 2017.

The number employed in low-skilled occupations has decreased from 37% in 1997 to 34% in 2007. This is forecast to decrease further to 31% by 2017.

There is evidence to suggest that there is a lack of people with Level 3 qualifications. In contrast, there appears to be more people working in the sector qualified to Level 1and Level 2, plus less people with Level 4 qualifications when compared with those across all UK sectors.

However many of the qualifications in the industry are gained whilst training at work and some industries in the sector require employees to undertake specific qualifications or training if they are to work within the industry or if they are to carry out specific tasks, including veterinary nurses, farriers and fencers.

There are also 15 Apprenticeships in England and Wales in this sector and this will continue to be a standard entry into the industry for many young people.